The journey of becoming a mindful developer

We live in times of unprecedented change. The VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous)[1] reality has been penetrating our economy and the HE sector has not been immune to it. In the last few years, we have been affected and challenged by: BREXIT, changing emigration policies, financial cuts, REF, TEF; which have put pressures on universities and resulted in reviews of current structures and ways of operating.

This has been impacting on how leadership, management and staff developers work. We and our teams have been under a huge pressure: often under-resourced, managing multiple projects and stakeholder relationships, constantly balancing the creativity of planning a development and the focus of its implementation, working long-hours, often in our private times, running from one meeting to another, being affected by the ailment of our times: “busy-ness”.

The nature of our job is to focus on helping leaders, managers and staff to grow, succeed and be the best they can be. We dedicate our time to listening emphatically, challenging existing assumptions and old frames of reference, developing and implementing support which enables others to thrive whilst staying healthy and balanced.

But have we got the same empathy, focus on thriving and wellbeing for ourselves? Are we aware of what we need? Are we taking care of ourselves? How are we coping with the information overload? Are we present enough to be able to effectively do our job?

A few years ago I had a moment of awakening. Working part-time for the University of Sheffield and part-time running my own coaching and training business, I had a lot on my plate to manage. It was one of those days, when I was rushing from one thing to another. I was facilitating an action learning set for leaders in the morning, then meeting with a senior manager to discuss his development needs, and then running a 1:1 coaching session. My mind was struggling to focus. It was catching up with what I was doing before or planning what I was going to do next. I felt stressed. I caught myself red-handed: I was not fully there! Not fully present for myself or for my clients. I knew then that something in my approach would have to change so that I could continue effectively helping others.

This started a process of exploration into how I can regain control over my mind. How I can engage in this demanding portfolio of work and be at my best for each client? How can I be focussed, balanced and creative whilst coping with the increasing demands on my time?

That is what led me to mindfulness.

Mindfulness, as defined by Shauna Shapiro is “intentionally paying attention with kindness”. It allows us to put ourselves in the present moment and become more sensitive and perceptive to what is happening in our context. It promotes a deeper sense of engaging with life and others.

Mindfulness can be developed through meditation, body scan, breathing practices and through movement exercises such as yoga or mindful walking. It can also be cultivated through working and interacting with others in a more mindful way. Mindfulness encourages a neutral observation of how things unfold internally and externally without trying to fix anything. It helps to gain insights and control over how our mind works. It strengthens our resilience and makes us more accepting and compassionate.

Mindfulness has become the most exciting journey for me. It took me into the depth of my mind and allowed me to become more aware of my thought patterns. I have gained more focus and presence. I started noticing more clearly what was happening around me and being able to respond to it more creatively. I could tangibly feel calmer, happier, more resourceful and more effective. I have also noticed how my relationships with others deepened and became stronger.

I was fascinated with how the mindfulness approaches have been transforming my life and became curious about how they can help my clients and staff that I have been working with. I started sharing the mindful principles and techniques and overlaying them with knowledge of neuroscience, generative coaching and positive psychology, which became the basis for mindful development® – my integral model for developing others.

Working with mindfulness, as a developer I have found a sustainable way to take care of myself whilst supporting others. It has allowed me to find the essential work-life balance, manage my emotions better, stay more focussed when presented with challenges, communicate more clearly, influence more powerfully and think more creatively.

The results of mindfulness techniques can be seen quite quickly. For example, practising breathing exercises just for 3 minutes can help to sooth anxiety and alleviate stress. However, ultimately, mindful development is a long-term approach. It requires dedication, practice and willingness to face yourself at all levels: mental, emotional, physical and at the level of values and purpose. I believe that long-term it can fundamentally transform our lives, and help our clients and the organisations that we work for. It seems to be a must in these times of uncertainty and rapid changes.

Invitation to a mindful exploration: Before you move onto the next activity, I would like to invite you to pause. Sit up straight; put both of your feet on the floor, palms resting on your laps. If it is safe to do so, please close your eyes for a moment and connect with your breath. Where do you feel your breath most strongly? In your nostrils? Chest? Stomach? What is the rhythm of your breathing? Do not try to change it. Just become curious of it. Observe how your breath enters your body, filling your nostrils, lungs and stomach and how it leaves the body when you exhale. Just follow your breath for a couple of minutes. Breathe in and breathe out. Then, open your eyes. What have you noticed as a result of this brief practice?

Recent SDF Tweets

RT @TimJBlackman This book rocks, I recommend it! Full of insight: craft is at the centre of learning, it’s normal to be different but we don’t teach that way, we’re distracted by talent but ability doesn’t predict achievement, we’re born to learn and to care, we multiply each other’s abilities. twitter.com/alexfbea…

When was the last time that you had the time and space to stand back and take a good look at your purpose, department, or the way in which you perform your role? It was very likely some time ago that you gave yourself this luxury. We invite you join us on the south coast to take a breath of fresh air and to stand back and develop some super-vision on your own practice. Come...

Contact Details

Disclaimer

All adverts displayed on the SDF website are paid for advertising. Appearance of these adverts does not indicate endorsement of such goods/services by the SDF.
The SDF accepts no liability for the quality of goods and/or services advertised.